From left: Elizabeth Lara, CRUHSD homeless liaison; Nisa Norris-Garcia, BCSD McKinney-Vento volunteer; Nic Navarro, BCSD warehouse; Dr. Tim Richards, CRUHSD Superintendent; David Grant, Aquarius/ Edgewater receiving (participating in one of his last “Feed A Family” events before retiring); Sheree Norris, BCSD parent liaison; Ashley Winn, Aquarius/Edgewater special events manager; Cris Robinson, Aquarius/Edgewater senior director of marketing; Matt Winn, Aquarius warehouse receiving; Alicia Franco, Aquarius warehouse/receiving. (Photo courtesy Aquarius/Edgewater)
LAUGHLIN / BULLHEAD CITY – Once again, food donations by the Aquarius and Edgewater Casino Resorts in Laughlin have provided Christmas meals for homeless students’ families. More than five dozen ham dinners were presented to the Bullhead City School District (BCSD). An equal number was given to the Colorado River Union High School District (CRUHSD).
The Christmas meals donation increased by a third the “Feed A Family” program meals available for homeless students’ families over Thanksgiving.
Golden Entertainment’s Aquarius/Edgewater “Feed A Family” contributions included side dishes and desserts, along with the baked hams. As in the past, BCSD again helped arrange the donations for the Colorado River Union High School District’s homeless program, since many families have students in both districts.
Now in its thirteenth year, “Feed A Family” is a collaborative effort of Aquarius and Edgewater players donating their Golden Entertainment True Rewards points, employees, community contributions and silent auctions. More than 2,500 families were fed in 2023.
This year, “Feed a Family” is again assisting more than one dozen non-profit and charitable programs, food banks and organizations this fall and winter.
Student homelessness is defined under the federal McKinney–Vento Homeless Assistance Act of 1987, enacted by Congress and signed by Pres. Ronald Reagan. At any given time, 50 to 200+ local students can be legally homeless between BCSD and CRUHSD, because of overlapping family enrollments.
Student homelessness throughout the Tri-State area has many causes: a parent losing a job, domestic abuse, blended family tensions, children thrown out of the house because of sexual orientation, financial crises and other factors. Some families share homes with relatives; others are in temporary housing, while others are living in vehicles or on the streets.
BCSD continues to accept cash donations for additional meals for homeless students, plus new and gently used clothing, both during the holidays and for year-around ongoing needs. Additional information is available from BCSD parent liaison Sheree Norris at 928-758-3961, x-1026.
